LOOKING BACK AT 2011: Community loses activists, leaders

REDLANDS - The city lost a number of activists and community leaders in 2011, when some of the citizens that make Redlands what it is died.

On the first day of 2011, Edna Louise Steinman died at age 80, after spending her life as a volunteer, journalist, communicator, Woman of the Year and founder of the Math-Science Conference for eighth-grade girls, held by the American Association of University Women.

Steinman was born in Aberdeen, S.D., Feb. 27, 1930, and moved to Redlands in 1964.

"She had many, many friends and even more admirers," friend Dee Ann Palmer said. "One of her purposes in life was to support others."

Steinman lent her support to the American Association of University Women's Redlands chapter, the Zonta Club, the Orangewood High School library, San Gorgonio Girl Scout Council, University United Methodist Church, Delta Kappa Gamma, the University of Redlands Town & Gown and Inland Harvest.

She was director of public affairs at Cal State San Bernardino and did publicity for the University of Redlands' Centennial Gala in 2006.

On Feb. 19, Bob Romero, an "ambassador...for the entire city" died in his sleep at his home at age 82, a copy of the Redlands Daily Facts on his lap, his daughters said.

Romero was an advertising account executive and community volunteer, and Redlands native, having graduated from Redlands High School in 1946.

"Bob Romero in my mind was the ambassador of Redlands," said Toebe Bush, former Daily Facts general manager and publisher who worked with Romero for more than 10 years.

"Anything that was Redlands was Bob Romero - he represented Redlands and always presented it in the best light he possibly could."

Business owner Doug Jirsa, 62, died of a heart attack March 22 at his home. Jirsa co-owned Lasting Impressions photography studio in Redlands.

A native Redlander, Jirsa attended Cram Elementary and graduated from Redlands High School in 1966 before working for the city as an animal control officer and a police officer in Banning.

Jirsa was a member of Masonic Lodge of Redlands, Elks Lodge of Redlands, Exchange Club, Rotary Club, Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, Professional Photographers of America, Professional Photographers of California, Inland Empire Professional Photographers and Videographers.

"The guy seemed to be able to do everything and do it well," friend Bernie De Young said.

Conway W. Snyder, a space exploration scientist, died April 14 at age 93. A 1939 University of Redlands graduate, Snyder worked on the Manhattan Project, which created the first atomic bomb, during World War II.

Snyder's work in the science world included rocket designs, nuclear physics and space exploration earned him three Exceptional Scientific Achievement Awards from NASA.

"He was always very scientific. He has things still on the moon," said his daughter, Sylvia Woods, referring to his solar wind spectrometer.

Another Redlands scientist, David Freda, died unexpectedly on May 20 at age 47. Freda worked at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory on projects as a senior software engineer.

Freda worked at Esri and then consulted for Gussing Renewable Energy America in Redlands before his death.

"His interests were many - he was very well read and when he took an interest in something, he delved into it full-bore," said Charles Thompson, a software developer who worked with Freda.

"He had a real interest in the world - when I think of David Freda I think that he was never one to be bored," Thompson added.

Citrus Valley High School teacher Michael Newbold also died on May 20, after succumbing to brain cancer at age 35. Newbold was an English teacher and department chair at the high school.

"Mike was a great person to work with, he was so incredibly smart and he had an amazing memory," said Rebecca Strode, Citrus Valley High School English teacher.

"He was like a walking, talking Barnes and Noble store because he had read so many books and remembered every character, every major event, and all the important literary details that English teachers love to discuss."

Redlands lost another local leader in May. On May 25, Carol Robinson, the Redlands Community Music Association's first Hero of the Arts, died at age 85.

She was a founder of the Redlands Symphony Association and Cultural Arts Commission, the University of Redlands Town & Gown and the Redlands Youth Ensemble of Strings.

Robinson lived in Redlands more than 40 years, coming to the city from Pasadena in 1968, where she was vice president and director of public relations for the Pasadena Junior Philharmonic.

"She was a real force who did make things happen," said longtime friend Mary Lou Jones, who served in the symphony association with Robinson. "She was not shy and retiring - you knew she was around."

Another major loss for Redlands occurred on Sept. 23, when Army Pfc. Carlos Aparicio was killed in action in Afghanistan.

The Redlands East Valley High School class of 2010 graduate was 19 years old.

Aparicio arrived in a flag-draped casket on Oct. 5 at the Ontario International Airport before he was laid to rest in the Riverside National Cemetery.

"He really loved his country," said his mother, Connie Aparicio. "He was All-American. For him, it was like, this is what I'm meant to do. I'm going to serve my country, I'm going to help protect it. For me, I'm proud."

In November, patron of the arts and dedicated volunteer Jim Gebara died Nov. 3.

A major supporter of the Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival, Gebara founded the Redlands Community Music Association's Red Shirt Ushers at the Bowl.

Gebara was a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel and worked in real estate with Coldwell Banker.

He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Redlands, and, as a member of the Redlands Service Club Council, was instrumental in the council's recent refurbishing project at the Redlands Bowl.

"As a longtime Redlands Community Music Association board member, I have observed how difficult it has been over the years to obtain and organize volunteers to pass the red bowls during the intermissions at Bowl performances," said Marilyn Bunnell Member of the board of directors, Redlands Community Music Association.

"Yet after Jim took over that responsibility and formed the Red Shirts for that purpose, it has been a very smooth operation," she said.

Redlands lost another Jim on Dec. 2, when political activist Jim Randels died at age 80.

A longtime Redlands resident and political activist, Randels could be seen every Friday afternoon with members of Citizens Action for Peace protesting for or against various causes on what they called "Peace Corner."

The longtime activist died a few steps from the corner of Redlands Boulevard and Orange Street, at the beginning of a Friday protest.

One of Randels' favorite quotes was "I'm a man of many gifts, but silence wasn't one of them" by author Upton Sinclair.

"My dad felt the need to confront what he thought was the status quo. He fought against consumerism, against corporate takeover of small businesses, the exploitation of the poor," said his son, Kelly Dawson.

Dawson said Randels was also a very generous man who gave away half his earnings to various causes and those who needed a little help.

"You couldn't sometimes pay for a meal. And he was always trying to slip someone a $20," he said. "The way he passed is fitting because he died fighting his fight."